TV License Renewal - Planning Not to Renew but Need Advice Please

Adamc

Our TV has iPlayer preinstalled and as far as I'm aware I cannot uninstall it (I have factory reset it and the app remains and cannot find an uninstall option). Am I breaking the rules by having this? 

littleboo

No, its consuming the content which requires the licence, not having the potential to consume the content

Yorkie006

Adamc said:

Our TV has iPlayer preinstalled and as far as I'm aware I cannot uninstall it (I have factory reset it and the app remains and cannot find an uninstall option). Am I breaking the rules by having this? 

I believe you have to have an account and sign-in in order to use iPlayer (I don't use one as I've not had a TV licence for years). Just having the app installed doesn't mean anything (esp. if it's pre-installed and can't be removed).

wild666

Adamc said:

Swipe said:

4 simple steps:

1. Don't renew

2. Don't contact them

3. Bin their monthly letters unopened

4. If anyone calls, tell them you don't watch TV or iplayer . Don't give your details or sign anything

Is it not better to let them know you do not require a license? Wouldn't that make them less likely to contact/hassle you to renew?

Even if you fill in the no licence required declaration you could get a visit from a goon. The declaration last two years but it really isn't worth filling one in every two years just let them send their letters and file them in the recycling bin.

wild666

Grumpy_chap said:

Don't forget to disconnect all radio as well, including car radio.

Radio licence scrapped in Feb 1971 and you can even leave the aerial connected to listen to the radio channels if you wish but I personally use my smart speaker to listen to any radio content I want to listen too.

wild666

What some people do is pay £6 per week but they are NEVER told that after 26/27 weeks the £6 weekly payment drops to just over £3. They keep paying the £6 weekly year after year meaning that they are paying £312 per year for a service that at present costs £159 for a year.
I wrote a letter to a local paper about the £6 weekly payment option in 2019 and someone replied, from TVL, that the £6 was reduced  after 26/27 weeks when the years licence fee had being paid. This was one thing they never tell those that pay weekly.

Grandad2b

Adamc said:

Should I take any precautions around friends or relatives who may visit with a smartphone/device with iPlayer etc installed on them? 

i.e. should I deny them access to wifi or state that I don't have a licence so they are aware not use such services at my property?

For instance a member of our bubble is going to be waiting in while we get a plumbing issue resolved ... unfortunately we cannot wait until we are off to get the work done and our employer is somewhat inflexible at present. 

That's something I expect would need to be tested by the courts. 

Two questions immediately spring to mind: does the licence permit the person to watch BBC content wherever they are on any device they own? If not what happens if they are watching in a public place - are they licenced or not?
Or, does the licence only cover the applicable premises? That implies no-one can watch iPlayer in the park.

The question of how the content provided by the BBC should be paid for is beyond my pay grade.

ididgetwhereiamtoday

Grandad2b said:

Adamc said:

Should I take any precautions around friends or relatives who may visit with a smartphone/device with iPlayer etc installed on them? 

i.e. should I deny them access to wifi or state that I don't have a licence so they are aware not use such services at my property?

For instance a member of our bubble is going to be waiting in while we get a plumbing issue resolved ... unfortunately we cannot wait until we are off to get the work done and our employer is somewhat inflexible at present. 

That's something I expect would need to be tested by the courts. 

Two questions immediately spring to mind: does the licence permit the person to watch BBC content wherever they are on any device they own? If not what happens if they are watching in a public place - are they licenced or not?
Or, does the licence only cover the applicable premises? That implies no-one can watch iPlayer in the park.

The question of how the content provided by the BBC should be paid for is beyond my pay grade.

I’ve opted out of paying the tv liscense as there is almost nothing on there for me. For the odd program on the bbc I do want to watch I’ll watch it at work on my phone in my breaks as they have a tv liscence. Technically this may be against the rules but no one seems to be sure. 

I am sure people do a lot worse things though. 

Ironically I would hate the bbc to stop existing but £150 a year is £150 a year and I don’t see it as adding that amount of value to my life. 

There needs to be a different way of finding the bbc to reflect the times. A compulsory fee that everyone pays except pensioners. Maybe add a penny on to national insurance. I having done the sums but something along these lines. 

Cornucopia

Grandad2b said:

Adamc said:

Should I take any precautions around friends or relatives who may visit with a smartphone/device with iPlayer etc installed on them? 

i.e. should I deny them access to wifi or state that I don't have a licence so they are aware not use such services at my property?

For instance a member of our bubble is going to be waiting in while we get a plumbing issue resolved ... unfortunately we cannot wait until we are off to get the work done and our employer is somewhat inflexible at present. 

Two questions immediately spring to mind: does the licence permit the person to watch BBC content wherever they are on any device they own? If not what happens if they are watching in a public place - are they licenced or not?
Or, does the licence only cover the applicable premises? That implies no-one can watch iPlayer in the park.

The question of how the content provided by the BBC should be paid for is beyond my pay grade.

If you have a Licence at your home address, you are covered to use a portable device powered by its own internal batteries anywhere.   Obviously, you can also use your own portable device in any location that is covered by its own Licence.

Use in public places isn't separately covered in the legislation, but TV Licensing have previously stated that they do not enforce unlicensed usage in such places, based on the expectation that most people will be licensed for the use of portable equipment under the rule above.

If you have no Licence, then any visitor to your premises cannot use your TV etc.  If they bring their own portable equipment that is powered by its own internal battery AND they have a TV Licence at their own home, then they can use that to view TV broadcasts and iPlayer.   They can connect to your wifi if they wish.

If a visitor to your home does evade the Licence, then the legal liability is theirs, not yours.  However, TV Licensing doesn't usually prosecute casual visitors.

badmemory

ididgetwhereiamtoday said:

There needs to be a different way of finding the bbc to reflect the times. A compulsory fee that everyone pays except pensioners. Maybe add a penny on to national insurance. I having done the sums but something along these lines. 

Pensioners do pay.  I had my DD with a terminal date on as when I did it over 75s didn't pay.  Before it was due I got a snotty letter about the fact that my DD was no longer active.  I used to do it all online too, but now I want paper copies.  They get funny with me & I will return the compliment.